Pumping system control for washing machines



1954 w. R. GARRETT EI'AL 2,665,646

PUMPING SYSTEM CONTROL FOR WASHING MACHINES Filed May 1, 1950 2 Shee ts-Sheet 1 l3 1 W R Garre f 1' 3 Wa/fer E. LI/jeS frond H B. You/7 enry lwmrom o BY 5.0M E XM ATTORNEY-S Jan. 12, 1954 w. R. GARRETT ErAL 2,665,646

. PUMPING SYSTEM CONTROL FOR WASHING MACHINES Filed May 1, 1950 6 2 Sheetw-Sheet 2 W H. Garref I Wo/zer E. Ll/jes frond Henry B.- Young INVENTORS BY Maw wz zw A T TOl-PNEYJ Patented Jan. 12, 1954 FUNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PUMPING SYSTEM CONTROL FOR WASHING MACHINES William R. Garrett, Walter E. Liljestrand, and

Henry B. Young, Houston, Tex., assignors to Mission Manufacturing Company, Houston, Tex., a corporation of Texas Application May 1, 1950, Serial No. 159,198

3 Claims. (01. 103-262) j l i ..1The invention relates to a pumping system which is to be utilized specifically in connection with a flexible tub extracted type washing machine where the washing fluids are extracted by a suction so that atmospheric pressure on the exterior of the flexible tub will cause a collapse thereof and the partial drying of the clothes which are in the tub due to the squeezing of the clothes by the atmospheric pressure on the exterior of the flexible tub.

.Generally such type of washing machine is disclosed in the patent to Rand No. 2,472,682, issued June '7, 1949, and, it is not believed necessary to further show or describe the details of the washing machine per se.

Generally the invention relates to pumping system for washing machines whereby a very substantial vacuum may be obtained by the circulation of the liquid through the pumping system in combination with a jet or venturied type of nozzle, and whereby the flow of water in this system may be reversed to charge thetub with washing or rinsing water.

This application for patent relates to the same general subject matter as prior application for patent, Serial Number 142,824, filed February 7, 1950 by Fred L. Jisha and Walter E. Liljestrand and Henry B. Young, the two latter being joint inventors in both the prior application and the present application. a

It is one of the objects of the invention to provide a pumping system where a pump discharge is directed through a jet type nozzle to create a suction upon a source of fluid and the inlet of the pump is connected to the nozzle discharge so that the system is maintained full of liquid, and any excess fluids entering the system may be discharged therefrom in combination with a valve to control the direction of the pump discharge; so that it may be reversed and utilized to fill the washing machine tub or release to create suction when the valve is open as circumstances may require.

Another object of the invention is to provide H a; liquid circulating system where the pump discharge causes a suction on the inlet ofthe system and thepump inlet maintains the system filled with liquids so that any excess fluids may- A still further object of the invention is to pro-1 vide a pumping system to create a suction and wherein a gas and liquid separator serves to increase the suction created by the system due,

to the discharging of gaseous fluids from the centrifugal pump inlet.

Another object of the invention is to utilize;

a single pump in a washing machine circulating system so as to either fill or discharge the tub. It is also an object todirect a pump discharge into a washing machine to charge the machine I with wash water and to thereafter direct such discharge to create a suction to discharge the used washing liquid from the machine to permit atmospheric pressure to squeeze water from the washed contents of the machine.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a pump and circulatory system for wash ing machines whereby a single automatic valve'.

Other and further objects of the invention; will be readily apparent when the following description is considered in connection with theaccompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a top plan View looking down on the combination of the mechanism of the invention; T

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the mechanism particularly illustrating the valve in open position and-the arrangement of the pump, the jet nozzle and the separator.

Fig. 3 is an end elevation looking at the pump and the separator assembled;

Fig. 4 is a broken detailed view illustrating the valve in collapsed position by compressing the flexible tube to close off the flow and. to direct the liquid back into the washing machine to charge the'same with either washing or rinsing.

water;

Fig. 5 is a, transverse section taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2 and looking in the direct-ion of thearrows to illustrate the collapsible valve in open position;

Fig. 6 is a section similar to Fig. 5 but taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 4 to illustrate the valve in collapsed position to shut ofi the flow and direct the pump discharge into the tub ior washing or rinsing purposes.

Figure '7 is a longitudinal sectional view taken through thecollapsible valve.

In Fig. 1, the top plan view illustrates an assembly wherein the pipe I is arranged for connection to the washing machine tub and this single pipe serves the dual purpose of supplying the washing and rinsing liquid to the tub and also serves to permit the extraction of the washing and rinsing liquids so that the content of the tub will be dried to a substantial extent.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation showing the pipe In as forming part of a pumping system H and into which system the pump l2 has been connected.

The pump l2 has the circumferential housing 13 in which the pump chamber 14 has been formed. Rotatable in this chamber is the im- When the tub is to be filled either initially with washing Water or with rinsing water during the subsequent operation, it is contemplated that the same mechanism will be used and the flow of water from the pump I2 will be forced to enter the pipe l0 when the flexible pinch type control valve 50 is moved from the position of Fig. 2 to the collapsed or closed position shown in Fig. 4.

peller l5 which is driven from a shaft I 6 mounted in the hub or bearing H on the side of the housing. The rotation of the impeller I5 drives the fluids in the chamber through the tangential discharge pipe which is arranged on the periphery of the housing.

The inlet to the housing is seen in Fig. 2 at 22 and is a connection from the base 23 of the separator tank 24.

The conduit 25 is connected to the separator tank 24 on the periphery thereof so that the flow to the'leftr as seen in Fig. 1 will set up a swirling centrifugal action in the separator so as to effect a separation of the liquids and the fluids due to gravity. If desired, the separator 24 may have a conical bottom so that only liquid will be drawn in at the intake pipe 22 of the pump.

The pump discharge pipe 20 is connected to a return bend and to the outer tubular housing 3| which receives the pipe It of the washing machine.

With the parts in the position seen in Fig. 2 the pump will be started and the liquid discharge will pass out through the pipe 20, return bend 30, into the jet nozzle 33 and into the Venturi section 34 thereof which includes a central jet 33a surrounded by the jet chamber 34 so that the high velocity flow of liquid through the jet will set up a suction in the outer housing 3i and the pipe 10 leading from'a tub (not shown) so as to in turn set up a suction to empty such tub as more fully described in the prior copending application 142,824, previously referred to.

The mixture of liquids and fluids from the tub will pass through the pipe 25 and into the separator 24 where the liquids will separate by gravity and centrifugal action and the gaseous fluid will move upwardly in the separator and escape through the outlet pipe 45. A one way valve not shown in the enlarged portion of the pipe 40 may prevent any return flow back into the pipe.

It might be stated that the present pumping system is particularly adapted for connection to the flexible tub type washing machine wherein a, suction in the tube due to the pumping action will permit the atmospheric pressure on the exterior of the tub to collapse the flexible bag or tub and set up a pressure against the washing or clothing to discharge the liquid from the-clothing. i I

It. will be noted that the Parts are so arranged and positioned that the pump and the piping system will be mounted from the left at all times so as to insure an efiicient'opeartion of the pump.

A water inlet pipe 48 is suitably controlled by ,The valve comprises a bracket 5| mounted on the side of the coupling SI and including a socket 52 with the overhanging arm 53 thereabove. The valve arm 54 is in the form of a bell crank lever where one end 55 is connected to solenoid 56 by means of a spring 51.

The other arm 58 of the bell-crank has a portion which engages in the socket 52 as seen in Figs. 2 and 4. if there is no pull on the solenoid as seen in Fig. 2 the solenoid will have released the valve arm 54 so that the flexible section of the valve50 will remain in its normal position so that theremay be a flow therethrough. I

The inherent resiliency of the hose causes it to stand in open position. The suction set up in the jet housing 3| by the jet will create a very substantial redutcion, in the normal atmospheric pressure. In actual practice, it was demonstrated that a vacuum of twenty-eight inches of mercury was very quickly obtained. This reduction in pressure sets up a suction inthe washer tub and the pipe i6 so as to withdraw the liquids and the fluids as Well as to permit atmospheric pressure to collapse a flexible tub and squeeze the water from the clothing.

When it is desired to refill the tub to initiate a washing operation the solenoid 56 will be actuated to set up a pull in the spring 51 and the valve arm 54 so as to'move the elbow 6| of the crank arm against the flexible section 60 so as to collapse the section against an anvil 53' on the bracket 53 as best seen in Fig. 6 so as to cut off any flow through the collapsed section.

The water discharged from the pump will then be reversed in the Venturi jet so that pressure of the discharging water will cause it to enter the tub. When the washing or the rinsing has been accomplished and it is again desired to set up a reduction in pressure in the washer, the solenoid- 56 will release the arm 54 so that the inherent resiliency of the flexible section 60 will return.

the parts to the position of Fig. 2 so that the pump discharging will setup a suction at th Venturi valve. V

Only a thin layer of water seals around im peller in the pump housing and the pump retains the water in the tub.

Thus, any discharge connection from machine need not be elevated above tub to keep water from draining out of tub because the pump keeps- Water in tub.

-Broadly the invention contemplates a single in this manner avoids switches, gears and transmission devices.

What is claimed is:

1-. A pumping assembly including, a fluid pump, a discharge conduitextending-from the outer end of the conduit back to the pump inlet,

, a flexible tubular section connected in and forming part of the discharge conduit and having a portion thereof reduced to provide a Venturi throat within the conduit, a jet nozzle mounted in the conduit between the Venturi throat and the pump outlet whereby fluid discharging from the nozzle is directed through the Venturi throat, a fluid line extending from the discharge eonduit at a point adjacent the jet nozzle, a fixed anvil member secured to the exterior of the conduit and overlying a portion of the exterior surface of the flexible section, a depending bracket on said anvil member having a socket therein, and a bell crank lever having the extremity of one arm pivotally engaged within the socket of the bracket whereby said arm may undergo a swinging movement, and a pressure applying member secured to the bell crank 1ever and underlying that portion of the flexible section which is reduced and located diametrically opposite the anvil member, swinging of the bell crank lever resulting in applying a pressure to the tubular section to collapse the same and close the bore thereof.

2. A pumping assembly including, a fluid pump, a horizontally extending discharge conduit extending from the pump outlet, a horizontally extending return line extending from the outer end of the conduit back to the pump inlet, a horizontally disposed flexible tubular section connected in and forming part of the discharge conduit and having a portion thereof reduced to provide a Venturi throat within the conduit, a jet nozzle mounted in the conduit between the Venturi throat and the pump outlet whereby fluid discharging from the nozzle is directed through the Venturi throat, a fluid line extending from the discharge conduit at a point adjacent the jet nozzle, means engageable with the exterior of the flexible section for applying a collapsing pressure thereto to close the bore through the section, whereby said tubular section functions as a valve, said means for applying collapsing pressure to the flexible section engaging said section at the reduced por- 6 tion thereof which portion forms the Venturi threat.

3. A pumping assembly including, a fluid pump, a horizontally extending discharge conduit extending from the pump outlet, a horizontally extending return line extending from the outer end of the conduit back to the pump inlet, a horizontally disposed flexible tubular section connected in and forming part of the discharge conduit and having a portion thereof reduced to provide a Venturi throat within the conduit, a jet nozzle mounted in the conduit between the Venturi throat and the pump outlet whereby fluid discharging from the nozzle is directed through the Venturi throat, a fluid line extending from the discharge conduit at a point adjacent the jet nozzle, means engageable with the exterior of the flexible section for applying a collapsing pressure thereto to close the bore through the section, whereby said tubular section functions as a valve, said means for al plying pressure to the flexible section comprising a fixed anvil member overlying the reduced portion of said section, and a pivoted actuating element adapted to engage the reduced portion of the flexible section at a point diametrically opposite to the anvil member.

WILLIAM R. GARREI'I. WALTER E. LILJESTRAND. HENRY B. YOUNG,

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

